Variable, Not Always Persistent, Postconcussion Symptoms Following Mild TBI in U.S. Military Service Members: A 5-year Cross-sectional Outcome Study.

MedLine Citation:

PMID:
23205671
Owner:
NLM
Status:
Publisher

Abstract/OtherAbstract:

This study examined postconcussion symptom reporting within the first 5 years following mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Participants were 167 U.S. military service members (Mean Age = 27.6 years; 74.3% blast; 96.4% male) who were evaluated following injuries sustained in theater during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom (92.8%), or from other combat-related operations. Participants completed the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory and PTSD Checklist within three months of injury, and at least one follow-up telephone interview at 6 (n = 46), 12 (n = 89), 24 (n = 54), 36 (n = 42), 48 (n = 30), and/or 60 months (n = 25) post-injury. Approximately half of the sample (49.7%) met DSM-IV symptom criteria for postconcussion disorder (PCD) at baseline. At all six follow-ups, 46.1% to 72.0% met DSM-IV criteria for PCD. However, only 20.4% to 48.0% reported persistent PCD from baseline to follow-up. A substantial minority had also improved (4.0-24.1%) or 'developed' new symptoms (16.9-27.8%). Using regression analyses, baseline symptoms were somewhat predictive of PCD symptom reporting at follow-up, though this was not always reliable. Follow-up for all service members who sustain a combat related MTBI in the context of polytrauma, regardless of the presence/absence of symptom reporting in the acute recovery stage, should be considered the rule, not the exception.